Disc golf has a major credibility problem.
When you’re out on the course during a tournament, it’s not uncommon for someone to have a rowdy dog with them. Or for a fellow cardmate to be drinking or smoking marijuana in a public park. Or for somebody to be blaring music from a bluetooth speaker throughout the final round.
Or those guys who don’t actually tap-out on a hole if their lie is right under the basket …
Man, that’s the absolute worst.
Add to the above list the 875-rated “MPO” player who decides that he’d like to huck some plastic with the guys he sees on Jomez at Idlewild, and you’ve got yet another pressing issue.
Never fear, the Disc Golf Pro Tour’s Tour Card program is here.
It’s only a pilot program. And this won’t solve all of disc golf’s credibility issues, but it’s a step in the right direction for a big one – what it means to actually be a “professional” disc golfer.
For all these people crying about the new “Tour Cards” and that “they” can’t play should prob grasp how sports work! You can’t get on the PGA tour or get into the Wimbledon… Maybe try to “walk on” in the MLB, NFL or NBA? Oh wait. You can’t just “sign up” for those either.
— Drew Gibson (@DrewGibsonn) January 13, 2022
The Tour Card program is a way to ensure that the best MPO and FPO talent are able to play in the nation’s best disc golf tournaments. This year, in accordance with the 2021 DGPT standings, the Tour Card is made readily available to the top-75 MPO players and the top-25 FPO players.
In addition to early registration, card-carrying players will also have access to the following:
- Player-only parking.
- On-site locker rooms.
- A private tent for all competitors.
- In-tournament health and wellness services.
A handful of top-rated players who fall outside of the aforementioned rating brackets will also have access to Tour Cards, as well as the top-10 MPO and top-5 FPO European players.
The Tour Card isn’t some sort of “gift” from the DGPT, though …
It costs money. And players will need to foot the bill.
The Tour Card costs $760. That’s $40 for each of the DGPT’s 15 events, plus the four Major events on the 2022 calendar. This rate does not include the registration fee for each tournament.
But what about Mr. Weekend Warrior who wants a shot at the “big boys” come tourney time?
I joke, but this is a serious question – most regional players or non-touring golfers will not have a Tour Card. In a note written to all players, Jeff Spring, CEO of the DGPT, said the following:
“Everybody 970-rated and above [in MPO] will have a shot at most events [through tiered registration]. Everybody 1,000 and above will definitely have a shot. If you’re shut out, there are ways to get in. There are sponsor exemptions. There will be qualifier tournaments announced for most tournaments.”
Spring went on to cite Silver Series events as an excellent way for strong players to qualify.
Change can be hard, but this change will do nothing but elevate professional disc golf.
Embrace it. And wholeheartedly.
Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
